Grinding machine with adjustable workpiece feed

ABSTRACT

A grinding machine having a rotary workholder and a chute adjacent the workholder with an adjustable escapement to release workpieces one at a time to a transfer arm mounted for pivotal movement and having adjustable holding pins. Various adjustments can be made for different size workpieces.

Enited Mates Patent Deranian et all.

[ Jan. 13, 1972 [54] GRINDING MACHINE WITH ADJUSTABLE WORKIPIECE FEED[72] Inventors: Diran Deranian, Holden; Norman S. Hume; Herbert IR.Uhtenwoldt, both of Worcester, all of Mass.

The Heald Machine Company, Worcester, Mass.

[22] Filed: N0v.25,11969 [21] Appl.No.: 879,695

[73] Assignee:

[52] U.S.Cl. ..5l/2l5 CP,5l/236 [51 Int. Cl ..B24b 41/04 [58]FieldoiSear-ch ..5l/l03,2l5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,741,074 4/1956 Kopczynski..5 H236 X 3,239,969 3/1966 Perry ..5 l/2 l 5 3,197,921 8/1965 Holder2,680,939 6/1954 Humes 2,884,747 5/1959 Lehman ..51/2l5 FOREIGN PATENTSOR APPLICATIONS 679,456 2/] 964 Canada ..51/2l5 20,627 10/1905 GreatBritain ..5 H2 l5 Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Attorney-NormanS, Blodgett [5 7] ABSTRACT A grinding machine having a rotary workholderand a chute adjacent the workholder with an adjustable escapement torelease workpieces one at a time to a transfer arm mounted for pivotalmovement and having adjustable holding pins. Various adjustments can bemade for different size workpieces.

10 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures TABLE will/ml I PATENTED'JANIBIQY? SHEEN.BF 8 INVENTORS DIRAN DERANIAN BYNORMAN s. HUMES B RT R.U TENWOLDTATTORNEY 33m wwomu PATENTEU JAN] 8 I972 SHEEI 2 OF 8 PATENTEDJAMBBTZ 3'634'980 sumaors I PIC-3.3

PATENTED JAN 1 8 m2 saw 5 OF 8 FIG.5

' PATENTED mu m SHEET 7 0F 8 lOl ' FIG. I0

FIG. l4

PATENTED JAN: 81972 SHEET 8 BF 8 FIG.I3

FIGJZ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, when a grinding machinehas been used for the finishing of workpieces that differ greatly insize, it has been necessary to change the tooling. This means that thework supports, the work loading and unloading equipment, and the likehad to be changed, as well as the abrasive wheel. Although each set ofsuch tools was normally capable of some adjustment within a narrowrange, nevertheless, it was necessary to provide a large number of setsof tools for a given machine, so that it would be capable of operatingon a wide range of workpieces. Each of these sets of toolings was veryexpensive and, furthermore, it was a time-consuming operation to changethe tooling from one size to another. These and other difficultiesexperienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novelmanner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide agrinding machine capable of operation through a wide range of workpiecesizes with a minimum of tool changmg.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a grinding machinecapable of handling without difficulty workpieces in a size range fromthree thirty-seconds of an inch D. to I 9/16 inch 0.0. with widths fromVa to 1% inches.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a grindingmachine having a loading chute provided with an escapement mechanismwhich is capable of accommodating a large number of sizes of workpiecesand being adjustable so that it operates in a theoretically optimummanner with each size of workpiece.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a grindingmachine in which the operative elements for loading, unloading, andsupporting the workpiece during grinding are adjustable through a widerange of sizes or can be readily interchanged for other elementspermitting the extension of the size range.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a grindingmachine having means for supporting a wide range of workpieces duringgrinding using the roll support method in which the rolls contact at thesame radial angularity with respect to the workpiece centerline,irrespective of the size of the workpiece-supporting surface.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a grinding machinehaving loading, unloading, and supporting elements which can be adjustedand interchanged in such a way as to operate in an optimum manner on anyof a large range of workpiece sizes.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of partsset forth in the specification and covered by the claims appendedhereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the present invention consists of agrinding machine having a base, having a workhead mounted on the base,and having a rotatable spindle adapted to engage and locate a workpiece.A system of rolls are placed equiangularly about the periphery of theworkpiece to drive the workpiece about the axis of a surface ofrevolution to be finished.

An input chute is mounted with one end adjacent the cluster of rollersand an escapement is mounted on the chute to release workpieces one at atime to the axis for the purpose of placing the workpiece in positionfor grinding. A transfer arm is mounted for pivotal action about an axisthrough one end parallel to the first-mentioned axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention,however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structuralforms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a grinding machine embodying theprinciples of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a portion of the machine,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a loading chute with its escapement,

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned plan view of a portion of the machine,

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the portion of the machine shown inFIG. 4,

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the end of a transfer arm showingadjustable loading fingers,

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line VII VII of FIG.6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the loadingfingers on the transfer arm,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of a still further modification ofthe loading fingers on the transfer arm,

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view of a roller support,

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the roller support taken on the lineXII-XII of FIG. 11,

FIG. 13 is a modified form of the roller support, and

FIG. 14 is a still further modification of the roller support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1,wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, thegrinding machine, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, isshown as consisting of a base 11 on which are mounted a table with awheelhead l2 and a cross-slide with a workhead 13. Means is provided inthe usual way to bring about relative longitudinal and lateral motionbetween the wheelhead and the workhead to produce a grinding operationof an abrasive wheel 14 on a workpiece 15. The grinding machine is ofthe general type shown and described in I-Iohler US. Pat. No. 3,197,92l. The workhead is mounted on its own base 16 and is provided with arotatable roll 16 adapted to locate and drive the workpiece 15 about anaxis of an internal bore which is to be finished. A pair of rollers 17and 18 are arranged around the axis of the workpiece 15 adjacent one endof the spindle to engage the OD. of the workpiece at equidistant points.An input chute 19 is mounted with one end adjacent the cluster ofrollers and an escapement 21 is mounted on the chute to releaseworkpieces one at a time. A transfer arm 22 is mounted at one end forpivotal action about an axis parallel to the first-mentioned axis.

Mounted on the base is a motor 23 which operates through a belt 24 todrive the roll 16, which is much larger in diameter than the rolls I7and I8 and is the so-called regulating" roll. Another motor 25 operatesthrough a belt 26 to drive a spindle at synchronous speed with workpiece15 in order to provide axial location of workpiece 15. A hydrauliccylinder 27 is provided with a piston rod 28 which is formed with rackteeth which engage a gear mounted on a horizontal shaft 29. This shaftis provided with a first cam 31 which operates to move the rolls l7 and18 toward and away from the roll 16, a second cam 32 which operates tomove the transfer arm 22 axially of the workpiece, and a third cam 33which serves to swing the transfer arm 22 about the shaft 34 on which itis mounted. The chute 19 can be adjustably moved up and down byoperation of a knob 35, while the escapement 21 is moved toward and awayfrom the chute by means of a knob 36. A diamond dressing apparatus 37 ismounted on the workhead. An output chute 38 underlies the work area toreceive finished workpieces.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the construction of the chute and the escapemcnt. Abracket 39 extends at an angle to the base and is provided with parallelslots 41 and 42 through which the chute 19 is bolted to the bracket. Ascale 43 on the chute and an indicator arrow 44 are provided foraccurately locating the chute. The knob 35 actuates a screw which iscarried in the bracket 39 and engages a nut on the chuteto produceaccurate adjustment and locking. Slidably mounted on the bracket 39 is asupport 45 which carries the escapement 21. The support 45 is slidablyengaged with the bracket 39, and this sliding motion takes place byrotation of the knob 36. A plate 46 is mounted on the support 45 forrocking about a horizontal axis A. Carried on the plate are twotransversely slidable teeth 47 and 48 and a scale 49 mounted on theplate serves to permit the operator to set the teeth 47 and 48 atsuitable distances equidistant of the axis A. A scale 51 is mounted onthe bracket 39 to cooperate with an indicator arrow 52 to permitaccurate adjustment between the support 45 and the bracket 35 and,therefore, adjustment of the escapement 21 relative to the chute 19. Theplate 46 is maintained rotated to its extreme position counterclockwiseby a coil spring 53 and a hydraulic cylinder 54 serves to operate it inthe opposite direction. FIG. 2 shows the location of the workheadspindle 55 through whose hollow bore extends a gage 56. In FIG. 3 it canbe seen that a bolt 57 associated with the tooth 48 is engaged in a slot58 in the plate 46, while a similar bolt 59 operates in a slot 61. Thebolt 59 is associated with the tooth 47, so that, by loosening the bolts57 and 59 it is possible to adjust the teeth 47 and 48 making use of thescale 49 to make sure that they lie symmetrically on opposite sides ofthe pivot point axis A, Le, that the spacing between them is suitablefor any given workpiece Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, which show thearrangement of the gaging apparatus, the gage rod 62 is shown as havinga gage head 63 mounted on its free end, an intermediate portion of therod extending through a housing 64 mounted on a swivel plate. Extendingthrough the swivel plate is a control rod 65 whose free end is providedwith a contact head 66 which is contacted by the table as the wheelhead12 is moved back and forth in a longitudinal direction. The other endsof the gage rod 62 and the control rod 65 are joined by a crosspiece 67so that they move together. Attached to the rod and extending parallelto it is a feeler pin 68 which, on occasion, makes physical contact witha plate 69 to indicate that the gage head 63 has entered into the borein the workpiece and that the workpiece size is at a predeterminedamount. Extending from the feeler pin 68 outside of the housing 64 is anadjustment knob 71 permitting adjustment of the position of the pin 68relative to the rod 62. The interior of the housing 64 is provided witha bellcrank 72 which is hingedly mounted on a vertical pivot 73. One endis provided with means to contact the gage rod 62 on a hardened metalbutton 74 to throw the rod rearwardly on occasion. The other end isrotated normally in a counterclockwise direction by a coil spring 75. Itcan be rotated in the clockwise direction, however, on occasion, bymeans of a small hydraulic cylinder 76. An adjustable stop 77 limits thecounterclockwise motion of the bellcrank 72. An adjustable stop 78limits the motion of the rods 62 and 65 toward the wheelhead.

Notches 79 and 81 operative on the threaded rear portion of the rod 62serve to permit longitudinal adjustment of the gage to accommodatedifferent widths of workpiece. A coil spring serves to bias the rod 65in a direction pressed toward the wheelhead. As is obvious in FIG. 4,the gage rod 62 is di vided into two parts, the ends of which lie withinthe housing 64 and which are joined by a block 82 in which is alsomounted the feeler pin 68. The forward end of the rod is mounted in ballbearings 83 within the block 82, while the back end of the rod isslidable within a cavity in the block, but is provided with a coilspring 84. the amount of compression of which is controlled byadjustable nuts 85.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the manner in which the transfer arm 22 at its freeend is provided with parallel pins 86 and 87, which extend parallel tothe axis of the spindle and to the workpiece for extending into the boreof a workpiece which is to be transferred. The pin 87 is mounted in ablock 88 which is slidable in a groove 89 formed on the surface of theend of the transfer arm. The pin 86 is mounted in a similar block 91located at the other end of the groove 89. A bolt 92 extends through aslot 93 in the transfer arm, while a similar bolt 94 extends through aslot 95. These slots lie behind the groove 89 and provide for theadjustment of the pins 86 and 87 toward and away from one another totake care of various sizes of workpieces 157 In practice, thearrangement shown in FIGS. 6

and 7 is used for larger workpieces in the range of workpieces handledby the machine; that is to say, in the range from Kiinch to 5/ l 6-inchI.D.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the arrangement of pins 96 and 97 for use in anintermediate range of sizes of workpiece. The pins are soldered insuitable grooves formed in facing surfaces of blocks 98 and 99. Theblocks are guided in the groove 89 and are held in place by the bolts 92and 94 operating through the aforementioned slots 93 and 95. In order topermit the pins 96 and 97 to approach one another to handle smallworkpieces, it can be seen that they are of semicylindrical form. As hasbeen stated above, this particular arrangement is adapted for use on theintermediate sizes of workpieces in order of Aa-inch ID. to -inch I.D.

FIG. 10 shows the arrangement for handling small workpieces at the lowerend of the range of workpieces handled by the grinding machine. A plug101 extends from an elongated mounted 103 having a cylindrical shank 104which extends into a bore 105 formed in a block 106. The shank is heldin place by a set screw 107 and the block 106 is held on the transferarm 22 by a bolt 108 extending through the slot 93. The block isslidable in the groove 89 formed on the face of the transfer arm.Although the centerline of the mount 103 and the plug 101 can beadjusted laterally by use of the bolt 108 and the slot 93, nevertheless,an individual mount with its plug must be furnished for each size ofworkpiece.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the manner in which the roll 18 is mounted in ablock 1097 A spindle 111 extends through the roll, and roller bearings112 and 113 are interposed between them to give the roll a free rotatingability relative to the spindle. The spindle itself extends throughapertures 114 and 115 formed in arms 116 and 117, respectively. The amisextend through suitable bores in the block 109 and are fastened at theoutside ends by nuts 118 (see FIG. 1). As is evident in FIG. 12, theshaft 111 extends through the aperture 114 which is elongated in a planeperpendicular to a planejoining the axis of the workpiece with the axisof the roll 18. This permits the angularity of the roll to be adjustedby operation of setscrews 119 and 121 in what might be termed the roll"mode of adjustment. In other words, the angularity of the axis of theroll 18 can be adjusted by this means by movement perpendicular to theplane joining the axis of the workpiece and of the roll. A conduit 126is suitably connected at the outboard end of the spindle 111 andconnected by passages leading within the roller between the bearings 112and 113 for the provision of mist lubrication.

Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the block 109 itself is mountedon a secondary block 122. These two blocks 109 and 122 are joined by apivot pin which permits them to be angularly adjusted about the pivotpin in a plane which is parallel to the aforementioned plane joining thecenterlines of the workpiece and the roll. This method of adjustmentmight be termed adjustment in the yaw mode. Similar adjustments areavailable for the blocks on which the roll 17 is mounted, and all blocksare attached to a pivoted arm which, in turn, is mounted on a horizontalshaft which permits their motion to and from the workpiece in a planeperpendicular to the axis of the workpiece. Now, the construction shownin FIGS. 11 and 12 is for the workpieces in the larger end of the rangeof workpieces handled by the grinding machine. More specifically, theyare intended for sizes from %;-inch OD. to l 9/ l6-inches O.D.

FIG. 13 shows the roll arrangement set up specifically for theintermediate range of workpiece O.D.s. In this case, the roll 123 ismounted on a pair of roller bearings 124 which, in turn, are mounted ona shaft 125. This shaft is mounted on the arm 116 at one end, whereas,at the other end, the arm 117 has been moved inwardly to an intermediatepassage through the block 109. At the outboard end of the shaft 125, itis connected to a source of mist lubrication by a conduit 126. The arms116 and 117 are provided with suitable setscrews to permit theadjustment of the roll in the roll mode, as has been described inconnection with FIGS. 11 and 12 above. This arrangement is intended forworkpiece sizes from %inch to inch O.D.

FIG. 14 shows the roll arrangement for use with very small workpieces atthe lower end of the range of workpieces handled by the grindingmachine. The roll 127 is part of a roller bearing 128 mounted on a shaft129. This shaft is fixed in a block 131 which is mounted by means of aclamp screw 132 on a block 133. This block 133 is connected to the arms116 and 117 to the block 109, The adjustment of the roll can be made bymeans of the pivot 132 and the tightening of nuts in the usual wayassociated with the pivot.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to theexact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new anddesired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A grinding machine, comprising a. a base,

b. a workhead mounted on the base and having a rotatable spindle adaptedto engage and locate a workpiece,

c. a cluster of rollers arranged around the workpiece at equidistantpoints to drive it about the axis of a surface of revolution to befinished,

d. an input chute mounted with one end adjacent the cluster of rollers,

e. an escapement mounted on the chute to release workpieces one at atime, the escapement consisting of a plate mounted for rocking actionabout an axis parallel to the aforementioned axis, the plate beingprovided with two teeth mounted on the plate on opposite sides of itsaxis for sliding adjustment transversely of the axis, and the platebeing mounted on the chute for adjustment toward and away from thechute, so that the teeth can engage the surfaces of various sizes ofworkpieces at the same optimum angular positions, and

f. a transfer arm mounted at one end for pivotal action about an axisparallel to the first-mentioned axis.

2. A grinding machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the other end ofthe transfer arm is provided with parallel pins which extend parallel tothe first-mentioned axis and wherein the arm is operative to move thepins longitudinally on occasron.

3. A grinding machine as recited in claim 2, wherein the distancebetween the pins can be adjusted while maintaining them parallel to oneanother.

4. A grinding machine as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the rollersis of large diameter, is driven, and engages the workpiece at the 3oclock position, and wherein the other two rollers are of relativelysmall diameter and engage the workpiece at the l 1 o'clock and 7 o'clockpositions, respectively.

5. A grinding machine as recited in claim 4, wherein the large roller isfixed in position, while the two small rollers are mounted on a supportfor movement together toward and away from the large roller, whereineach roller is mounted for rotation in such a way that its axis can beadjusted angularly in a first plane relative to the first-mentionedaxis, and wherein it is also mounted for angular adjustment in a planeperpendicular to the first plane.

6. A grinding machine as recited in claim 1, wherein a shaft is mountedon the base for rotation about an axis parallel to the first-mentionedaxis, the shaft carrying a first cam which opens the cluster of rolls, asecond cam that moves the transfer arm in the direction of thefirst-mentioned axis, and a third cam that swings the am.

7. A grinding machine as recited in claim 6, wherein the shaft isprovided with a gear-and-rack mechanism actuated by a hydrauliccylinder, and wherein a one-way clutch is interposed in the shaft topermit rotation of the cams in one direction onl 8. A grinding machineas recited in claim 1, wherein the chute is mounted for sliding motionin a vertical plane, and threaded means is provided for producing themotion and locking the chute in a selected position of adjustment.

9. A grinding machine, comprising a. a base,

b. a workhead on the base and having a rotatable spindle adapted toengage and locate a workpiece,

c. a cluster of rollers arranged around the workpiece at equidistantpoints to drive it about the axis of a surface of revolution to befinished, the size of the grouping of the cluster of rollers beingadjustable, so that a wide range of sizes of workpiece may beaccommodated,

d. an input chute mounted with one end adjacent the cluster of rollers,

. an escapement mounted on the chute to release workpieces one at atime, the escapement having two teeth which are adjustable for distancebetween them and for distance from the chute, and a transfer arm mountedat one end for pivotal action about an axis parallel to thefirst-mentioned axis, the transfer arm having adjustableworkpiece-holding pins.

10. A grinding machine as recited in claim 9, wherein the angularity ofthe axis of some of the rollers relative to the first mentioned axis isseparately adjustable in the roll and yaw modes.

1. A grinding machine, comprising a. a base, b. a workhead mounted onthe base and having a rotatable spindle adapted to engage and locate aworkpiece, c. a cluster of rollers arranged around the workpiece atequidistant points to drive it about the axis of a surface of revolutionto be finished, d. an input chute mounted with one end adjacent thecluster of rollers, e. an escapement mounted on the chute to releaseworkpieces one at a time, the escapement consisting of a plate mountedfor rocking action about an axis parallel to the aforementioned axis,the plate being provided with two teeth mounted on the plate on oppositesides of its axis for sliding adjustment transversely of the axis, andthe plate being mounted on the chute for adjustment toward and away fromthe chute, so that the teeth can engage the surfaces of various sizes ofworkpieces at the same optimum angular positions, and f. a transfer armmounted at one end for pivotal action about an axis parallel to thefirst-mentioned axis.
 2. A grinding machine as recited in claim 1,wherein the other end of the transfer arm is provided with parallel pinswhich extend parallel to the first-mentioned axis and wherein the arm isoperative to move the pins longitudinally on occasion.
 3. A grindingmAchine as recited in claim 2, wherein the distance between the pins canbe adjusted while maintaining them parallel to one another.
 4. Agrinding machine as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the rollers is oflarge diameter, is driven, and engages the workpiece at the 3 o''clockposition, and wherein the other two rollers are of relatively smalldiameter and engage the workpiece at the 11 o''clock and 7 o''clockpositions, respectively.
 5. A grinding machine as recited in claim 4,wherein the large roller is fixed in position, while the two smallrollers are mounted on a support for movement together toward and awayfrom the large roller, wherein each roller is mounted for rotation insuch a way that its axis can be adjusted angularly in a first planerelative to the first-mentioned axis, and wherein it is also mounted forangular adjustment in a plane perpendicular to the first plane.
 6. Agrinding machine as recited in claim 1, wherein a shaft is mounted onthe base for rotation about an axis parallel to the first-mentionedaxis, the shaft carrying a first cam which opens the cluster of rolls, asecond cam that moves the transfer arm in the direction of thefirst-mentioned axis, and a third cam that swings the arm.
 7. A grindingmachine as recited in claim 6, wherein the shaft is provided with agear-and-rack mechanism actuated by a hydraulic cylinder, and wherein aone-way clutch is interposed in the shaft to permit rotation of the camsin one direction only.
 8. A grinding machine as recited in claim 1,wherein the chute is mounted for sliding motion in a vertical plane, andthreaded means is provided for producing the motion and locking thechute in a selected position of adjustment.
 9. A grinding machine,comprising a. a base, b. a workhead on the base and having a rotatablespindle adapted to engage and locate a workpiece, c. a cluster ofrollers arranged around the workpiece at equidistant points to drive itabout the axis of a surface of revolution to be finished, the size ofthe grouping of the cluster of rollers being adjustable, so that a widerange of sizes of workpiece may be accommodated, d. an input chutemounted with one end adjacent the cluster of rollers, e. an escapementmounted on the chute to release workpieces one at a time, the escapementhaving two teeth which are adjustable for distance between them and fordistance from the chute, and f. a transfer arm mounted at one end forpivotal action about an axis parallel to the first-mentioned axis, thetransfer arm having adjustable workpiece-holding pins.
 10. A grindingmachine as recited in claim 9, wherein the angularity of the axis ofsome of the rollers relative to the first-mentioned axis is separatelyadjustable in the roll and yaw modes.